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Unlike yesteryears, there was not much of a crowd at Old Goa for the Feast of St Francis Xavier for the Concelebrated High Mass which began sharp at 1030 hrs on a cool winter morning 3rd December,2004. The Apostolic Nuncio to India , Reverend Pedro Lopez Quintano was the main celebrant along with Archbishop Patriach Filipe Neri Ferrao, Archbishop Emeritus Dr Raul N Gonsalves Papal Nuncio in South Africa Rev Archbishop Blasco Colaco who is visiting Goa after over 50 years Bishop of Meerut Rev Patrick Nair and Aux Bishop Emeritus Rev Luke de Hove were the others on the beautifully set out open air stage with a radiant red canopy by M/s Ashirwad of Belgaum. In his homily Rev Fr Quintano appealed to the congregation to follow the message that St Francis Xavier was influenced by -- "go out to the whole world and proclaim the coming of Christ" In the celebration of the Feast which incidentally coincides with the death anniversary of the Saint who was born on 7.4.1506 at Navora in Spain, lived of a noble family indulged in materialistic ventures until influenced by his country man and fellow mate at the University of Paris Ignatius de Loyola with the famous quote : "what does it matter if one gains the whole world but suffers the loss of his soul". >From then on Francis Xavier the dreamer travelled worldwide from the Coramandel Coast to the Far East till he landed in Goa on 6th May 1542 and earned the sobriquet of " Apostle of the East Indies" In Goa he lived for only 6 months until he died on 2nd December night 1552 in China and was buried in the island of Sancian then China . On 16 March 1554 his uncorrupted body found a permamnent home at the Bom Jesus Basilica in Goa after a second reburial at Malacca. The theme for this years Exposition of sacred relics of St Francis Xavier is " as fellow pilgrims nourished by the Eucharist sent to build communion" This year the Vatican has declared the year October 2004to October 2005 as "Year of the Eucharist" To commemorate the ocassion a reprint of the English edition of three books "Church of Eucharist", "Sacrament Redefined" "Stay with us Lord" all available at Rs 35/- was released "denovo" by Reverend Quintano. it was announced that attempts to make a Konkani booklet of the above would be considered "next time" this is ridiculous considering that there was criticism that the Church does not encourage publication of these valuable books in Konkani which could be diseminated by the masses. The hymns with Indian and western music was provided by Rev Fr Peter Cardozo with a 25 member choral group. It must be said to the credit of the organisors whether the Rector of Basilica, the Commissioner of the Exposition , the Goa Police , the Red Alert Security services, and all those that went into the nitty gritty of the event - - that the organisation of the festivities was excellent and flawless. Even the communion was so smooth that within 15 minutes it was cleared there was no jostling but every thing was easy. Only the media had its slot occupied by the devoutees but that did not deter coverage. It appears that the foresightedness of the Chief Minister of Goa unit to lay a new 11 kms by pass from Behind the House of Professed (which was partly destroyed in a fire on 21 October, 2004 ) to Panaji, the parking of vehicles at a distance of nearly 500 mts, the two wheeler pay parking rs.5/ at every open space, the shifting of the stalls away from the Se Cathedral and the Bom Jesus Basilica worked wonders. It is true that the shop keepers did not benefit much this time because it was easier to get back home with an efficient transport services provided even for the old the infirm at the Se Cathedral end and other points. The shuttle service to carry passengers to and fro the parking lot added to the convenience. However by noon it was lunch time siesta and the pilgirms outnumbered the buses. Interestingly the Police Canteen at the venue was also widely patronised by not only the Police, central Reserve Police but also the devoutees. But the private buses did make hay as usual. The charges from Margao to Old Goa was Rs 25/ one way only and the for the return from Old Goa to Panaji via new Bye Pass NH 17B it was Rs.10/- instead of Rs 5/- for a 11 kms route . But when this writer asked the conductor of Bus GA 01 T 5581 he bluntly admitted that he had to "offer Rs.50/-" to the Traffic Police, posted at beyond " Ashiyana " the residential bungalow (surprisingly located within 100 mts of the Basilca contrary to rules)of the Transport Minister Mr S Madkaikar. The stalls were located beyond the Mahatma Gandhi statue. There was the traditional "Chouris pao" "undo anik mole" "ambot tik " at a house in the periphery and sweetmeats like " kadio boddi" and "chonne" Names carved on rice grain was an added feature besides the regular tatooing of names and images on the body and forehand. Those who desired to kiss the sacred relics of the St meandered through a 45 minute jigsaw puzzle into the Se Cathedral, the arrangements were excellent. Photography of the relics was baned for reasons unknown and the security checks with metal detectors at both venues provided amusement to the chiildren. There were not many suited and booted except the "noveau riche" and those that came from overseas. There was an element of modesty this time round the repeated messages did have a telling effect on the Christian women who otherwise parade themselves as if on a ramp or wear dress skin tights on bulging anatomies which make them look vulgar and a subject of ridicule in the eyes of the natives and those that come from beyond. There was a special group of Pakistanis that came to the venue and were provided special sittings. There were groups from Mizoram Chandigarh and Kerala some syrian Malabar christians had camped at the venue throughout the novenas which commenced from 23rd onwards Some local ex Chief Ministers of Goa, Dr Wilfred De Souza & Francisco Sardinha were present and the Chief Minister of Goa was seen near the media centre near the Directorate of Information Exhibition stall chatting with the media. There were moments of tension also when a 56 year lady at the 0900 hrs Mass preceding the Feast mass began curling her hair as if in trance and walked up to the altar in full public gaze. None among the volunteers which included ladies had the audacity to bring her to senses until this writer rebuked a lady volunteer to go and cajole the lady to come out of the venue. There was a nun who fainted and was made to relax though the weather was pleasant. Time and again there were announcement made to take care of one belongings due to reported thefts besides that at the commencement of communion there was a caution to those non christians to refrain from receiving Holy Communion. There was also an announcement that the books At the Old Archbishops home behind the Se Cathedral there was an exhibition of St Francis Xavier and Blessed Pe Jose Vaz. It is not why Pe Agnelo is not given due position in the Church. There will be a telecast of the Feast Mass tonight on DD at 2130 hrs. >From the Bom Jesus Basilica GODFREY J I GONSALVES Borda Margao Goa [EMAIL PROTECTED] ADMIN NOTE: Attached pictures deleted. Anybody requiring a copy of the pictures should sent an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]